Design of Class D Audio Power Amplifier Suitable to Hearing Aid Devices

Abstract

An amplifier is an electronic circuit that improves the strength of the signal. Using an amplifier in an audio system is essential to improve the strength of the signal. Based on different applications and specifications different types of amplifiers are used. Generally in an audio system, the input signal is amplified to a minimum required power level and then the speaker is driven by it. Conventionally, the output stage of an audio amplifier uses Class-A or Class-AB operating in a linear transfer region. The power efficiency of the Class-D amplifier has a better output efficiency compared to Class-A and Class-AB amplifiers, and its distortion is lower than that of the Class-C amplifier. This is based on a known fact that the Class D amplifier has a switching action in which the transistors are either completely on or off. As a result, the amplification is achieved with no power dissipation. Hence, the size of the amplifier can be highly reduced and a smaller heat sink is required. This paper focuses on designing a Class-D power amplifier which is suitable for hearing aid devices to deliver 500mW output power and for the THD to be less than 3%. The circuit implementation is done using UMC high voltage 0.18μm technology. This amplifier consists of three stages such as the modulation stage, the driver stage, the bridge stage, and the demodulation stage. Unfortunately, the Class-D power amplifier has inherent non-linear distortion problems, which is more significant than conventional audio power amplifiers. In this thesis, negative feedback is employed to reduce THD. Without feedback, the THD is obtained as above 3%. By employing feedback, the THD was reduced by 1.96dB. This design result is discussed and through to realization; whereupon the effectiveness of each of the implementation is evaluated.